Origin

Home-Start has been active in Norway since 1995 and the first scheme started in the city of Trondheim. We will celebrate our 20th anniversary this year! The Government granted money for a National office in 2000, and now the office has 3 employees.

Norway has 32 schemes spread across almost the entire country. Some of the schemes have more than one coordinator employed, making a total of 43 coordinators.
Norway has made very good progress, being accepted both in the local communities and by the Government. The Ministry of Children and Equality regularly mentions Home-Start in their plans for children and young people’s physical health. Funding for Home-Start nationally is received from the Government’s state budget. We also get money to focus on families with chronically ill and disabled children.

Local schemes are supported by organizations such as Salvation Army, City Mission, YMCA / YWC.

Our work

We do home visiting every week through 32 schemes, spread across almost the entire country. Some of the schemes have more than one Coordinator employed, making a total of 45 Coordinators.

The numbers of volunteers are 709, families supported are 887, and they have 1,865 children. 42 % of the families are from foreign countries, and Home-Start Familiekontakten is the best way of integrate people!

Our funding comes from the Government.

About the Schemes

Norway has made very good progress, being accepted both in the local communities and by the Government. The Ministry of Children and Equality regularly mentions Home-Start in their plans for children’s and young people’s physical health, and funding for Home-Start nationally is received from the Government’s state budget.

In 2005 the Ministry of Children and Equality offered HSF money to start a three year project supporting families with chronically ill and disabled children. In 2010 the project was concluded with regular Home-Start support being offered.

It is both municipalities and organizations as Salvation Army, City Mission, YMCA / YWCA, Blue Cross etc. who are starting Home-Start, after making progress together with the national HS office and national board.

Plans for the future

This year we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. Home-Start Familiekontakten (HSF) needs to be more known all over the country; we will focus on that over the next 2 years. Many communities need HSF, so they need to know about us. The national office has recruited a new employee who has knowledge and experiences with marketing to help with this.

Global Conference of Home-Start Worldwide held in Oslo September 2014

Left to right: Margaret Harrison (Founder of Home-Start), Wenche Heimholt Isacsen (Director Home-Start Norway) at the 40th Anniversary celebrations of Home-Start held in Norway in 2013.

Speech by Margaret at the 40th Anniversary celebrations

What people say about our work

"HSF are getting close to the families. Therefore you can get an overall view of the family's needs and based on that contribute to good cooperation between different agencies where it is needed."Health visitors

"Amazing that two hours a week spread so much positive energy into my life!"Volunteer

"Before I got in contact with HSF, I was very much sad .... the volunteer has supported me so now I can smile. She has given me hope that I too may be able to give my children a good life, in spite of my situation."Single mum